Sheath for an imaging device

Abstract

A sheath for an imaging device may include a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a holder coupled to the proximal end of the shaft; a retainer positioned in the lumen of the shaft, wherein the retainer includes an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration; and a light positioned on the distal end of the shaft.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sheath for an imaging device, comprising:
 a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;   a holder coupled to the proximal end of the shaft;   a retainer positioned in the lumen of the shaft, wherein the retainer includes an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration; and   a light positioned on the distal end of the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The sheath of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer includes a plurality of expandable components, and each of the expandable components is configured to be transitioned between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The sheath of  claim 2 , wherein each of the expandable components includes a balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The sheath of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of expandable components is arranged around a circumference of an interior wall of the lumen, with a circumferential space between adjacent expandable components, so that a cross-section of the shaft perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft intersects each of the plurality of expandable components. 
     
     
         5 . The sheath of  claim 1 , wherein the light is positioned on a distal-facing surface of the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The sheath of  claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a light switch configured to turn the light on and off. 
     
     
         7 . The sheath of  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet protruding radially outward from the shaft, the inlet being fluidly coupled to the retainer. 
     
     
         8 . A sheath for an imaging device, comprising:
 a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;   a plurality of expandable components positioned in the lumen, where each of the expandable components is configured to be transitioned between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration;   a light positioned on a distal-facing surface of the distal end of the shaft; and   a light switch configured to turn the light on and off.   
     
     
         9 . The sheath of  claim 8 , further comprising a holder coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the holder includes a portion that expands radially outward and in a proximal direction from the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The sheath of  claim 9 , wherein the light switch is positioned on the holder. 
     
     
         11 . The sheath of  claim 8 , wherein each of the expandable components includes a balloon. 
     
     
         12 . The sheath of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of expandable components is arranged around a circumference of the shaft along a same length of the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The sheath of  claim 11 , further comprising an inlet protruding from the shaft, the inlet being fluidly coupled to each of the expandable components. 
     
     
         14 . The sheath of  claim 8 , wherein the light extends around a portion of a circumference of the distal end. 
     
     
         15 . The sheath of  claim 8 , wherein the light includes a diffuser coupled to a distal end of a light-transmitting material, and wherein the light-transmitting material extends along a wall of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using a sheath for an imaging device, comprising:
 inserting at least a portion of a tubular member of the imaging device into a lumen of the sheath;   fixing the tubular member relative to the sheath by expanding a retainer positioned in the lumen of the sheath;   turning on a light located on a distal-facing surface of the sheath;   passing a distal end of the sheath and a distal end of the tubular member of the imaging device through a urethra of a patient and into a bladder of the patient;   passing the distal end of the sheath and the distal end of the tubular member into a ureter of the patient; and   collapsing the retainer.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising locating a ureteral orifice of the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after collapsing the retainer, moving the tubular member relative to the sheath. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the retainer includes a plurality of expandable components, and expanding the retainer includes passing fluid into each of the plurality of expandable components. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising inserting the distal end of the tubular member of the imaging device through a funnel-shaped holder prior to inserting the at least a portion of the tubular member of the imaging device into the lumen of the sheath.